The Queen and Lord M

Queen Victoria #2

by Jean Plaidy

On the morning of 20th June 1837, an eighteen-year-old girl is called from her bed to be told that she is Queen of England. The Victorian age has begun.

The young queen's first few years are beset with court scandal and malicious gossip: there is the unsavoury Flora Hastings affair, a source of extreme embarrassment to the queen; the eternal conflict between Victoria and her mother, and the young queen's hatred of Sir John Conroy, her mother's close friend.

Then there is the Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne - 'Lord M' - worldly cynic and constant companion to the queen, himself a veteran of many a latter-day scandal. He proves to be her guiding light - until the dashing Prince Albert appears and she falls hopelessly in love ...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, 19th Century, Victorian, British Literature, Royalty

356 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1973

About the author

Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Piyangie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book in Queen Victoria series captures the period of young princess Victoria's turbulent relationship with her mother and a plotting adviser of hers who tried his best to obtain a regency in favour of her mother, Victoria's coming of age and ultimate step in to the throne at the tender age of 18, her struggle to command and lead a country where she had to order around men who were his seniors in age and experience, and her finally finding both her peace and love in the strength of her cousin, Prince Albert, who would become her husband.

The book gives a good insight into the life and character of young Victoria, both as a princess and later as queen. It is very informative. However, it was more biographic than a story. Since I mistakenly expected a story, I was disappointed.

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lord M's eyes are always tear-filled in this book, it gets to be a bit much! Other than that strangeness, this is a pretty good novelization of the first few years of Queen Victoria's reign, and pretty historically accurate as far as I know.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this pretty dull. It was OK toward the beginning, but by the end, I was ready to be done with it. In fact, I skipped over about 100 pages to get to the last three chapters.

[LibraryCin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is Plaidy’s second book about Queen Victoria. This book opens when Victoria learns she is to be queen at 18-years old. Her first few years as queen are very much directed by the Prime Minister at the time, Lord Melbourne. She becomes very close to him. She has a couple of scandals along the way and things look bad to the public with her reaction when she almost loses him as Prime Minister. The book ends just as she marries.

This was good. By now I’ve read a bit more about Victoria than I had when I read Plaidy’s first book about her. But this one had much more detail about her relationship with the P.M. Wish she hadn’t relied solely on Melbourne’s advice, but this is what really happened.

[Evelin Monde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Klidně bych všechno více vyprávěla jako příběh, takhle je to spíše popisné. Ale upřímně nevadí, i tak to miluju.

[Lora Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed the book but as others have said the amount of times it was mentioned that Lord M had tears in his eyes was absolutely ridiculous and annoying. I got the point after two mentions. No need to hammer it home, dear author.
I can see the wisdom of reworking this series of four books into one (Victoria Victorious) as there is repetition in the first book and this one. If only Plaidy had been as clear (and repetitious) as to who's who in this series (ex., all of a sudden in this book Cumberland of the 1st book is now called Uncle Earnest) as she was about telling how certain characters felt about certain things.....

I will continue with the series because I really am enjoying it. The above complaints aren't a huge deal to me.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel of "The Captive of Kensington Palace" depicts the life of the newly titled Queen Victoria from her accession until her marriage with Prince Albert. Similarly to its predecessor, this book was very very hard to put down. Plaidy describes the highs of Victoria's early reign, under the guidance of Prime Minister Lord Melbourne; and the lows which resulted from several scandals within the Palace and Parliament, and Victoria's frustration with the new Constitutional Monarchy.

I personally love Plaidy's style of writing and factual storytelling and would highly recommend this book. There's never a dull moment in Buckingham Palace!

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does a great job at showing how young and unprepared Queen Victoria was when she ascended to the throne at the age of 18. Being sheltered her whole life in addition to her frank emotions and unwavering loyalty allowed her to be inadvertently put into scandal within a year of her coronation. There is no true villain here, unless you count "That Man", and who couldn't? Several times I found myself going, "You silly girl! The people won't like that!"

I'm very excited to read the next part in the series, which deal with her beloved Prince Consort.

[Carolyn Agosta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in Plaidy's Queen Victoria series, written some time ago, but new to me. Having already been primed by the Masterpiece Theatre version of "Victoria" a couple of years ago, I had a good idea of the people and events in advance of the reading, but I could also tell that Ms Plaidy had drawn from Queen Victoria's diaries, which she kept almost her entire life, so there was a lot that did feel we were getting the real woman's real thoughts and feelings. Of course, it didn't hurt that I could picture Rufus Sewell as Lord M throughout my reading of this book! I will be reading the 3rd book in the series at some point (have a couple other books piled up, waiting to be read), but if you enjoy historical fiction, particularly about Queen Victoria or the Victorian era, and are prepared to realize that fiction about real people isn't sometimes as exciting as fiction about made-up people (because then the author is able to push the storyline further), then you will probably enjoy this book.

[Fiona Warburton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second in the series following on from The Captive of Kensington. It's quite an old book now, but stands up well against Philippa Gregory and other historical fiction.
It starts where The Captive of Kensington left of with Victoria's ascension to the throne up until her marriage to Albert.

It's an easy read, obviously simplified as there are not that many characters to get to grips with, but enjoyable and a decent insight into the early years of Queen Victoria's reign and some of the major political events of those years, as well as her close friendship with her first Prime Minister Lord Melbourne (Lord M).

There are two more in the series, - The Queen's Husband and the widow of Windsor. Will probably get around at them at some point!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the 2nd book in Jean Plaidy's Queen Victoria series!!! :D Besides Victoria, Lord Melbourne is one of my favorite characters in the "Victoria" TV show and was excited to read Jean's version of the first 5 episodes of season one and those 3 years Victoria and Lord M were so close. They really were in love but knew they couldn't be together. So well done and I enjoyed learning more about Lord M's backstory and how this book was more historically accurate than the TV series. Very excited to read the 3rd book about what happens with Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert and how she wrote Lord M's final years.

[Mms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love pbs show. Wanted to spend more time in story. Jean plaidy, aka Victoria holt, writes really good historical novels. This book is no exception. Have the next two novels in series. Will space them out

[Papa Smurf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Queen and Lord M

Jean Plaidy is a wonderful author and I totally enjoyed reading the last two of her books in the series of Queen Victoria's life and reign. I couldn't out this book down until I finished it.

[Minahil Asif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deliciously intriguing and captivating story,truly a delight for someone a sucker of the Victorian Era,Mixed with scandalous affairs and Victorian politics,this book is a treat for classic and gothic lovers.

[Bea🌷 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sooooo boring. Melbourne was such a crybaby and Victoria had no personality whatsoever.
What a disappointment.

[Lynn Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of my favourite Jean Plaidy books but a good read all the same

[Mrs G C Fairclough]

What's not to like! Easy read- It took so long as you can (and I did) dip in and out.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 / 5

Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec The Queen and Lord M.?
"J'ai une passion pour cette reine et pour la vie des grands personnages historiques en général. Après avoir apprécié le premier tome de cette saga romancée, il était temps que je me lance enfin dans celui-ci."

Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Ce second opus se concentre sur l'accession au trône de Victoria et sur sa relation particulière avec son premier ministre d'alors, Lord Melbourne."

Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous?
"Le premier tome nous avait agréablement guidé à travers les méandres qui conduisirent la jeune et déterminée Victoria jusqu'au trône d'Angleterre. C'était un début prometteur et je fus ravie de retrouver la jeune Reine et de découvrir avec elle les avantages de sa nouvelle position mais également ses difficultés et ses pièges. Cependant, si l'auteur nous l'avait présentée jusqu'ici comme une jeune femme intelligente et ne se laissant pas dicter sa conduite, son opinion semble avoir changé dans la suite de ce roman. Même s'il est vrai que Victoria s'est en quelque sorte éprise de son premier ministre et s'est laissée entièrement guider par lui, ici elle apparait telle une sombre idiote et Lord Melbourne comme un incompétent cynique. Non seulement j'ai trouvé les traits un peu exagérés mais comme le livre entier n'est qu'une longue répétition de leurs entrevues, ça finit par tourner à la caricature. Un peu décevant donc."

Et comment cela s'est-il fini?
"L'histoire s'interrompt juste après le mariage d'Albert et Victoria et ouvre enfin de nouvelles perspectives. Malgré les quelques bémols évoqués, je reste passionnée par la vie de cette souveraine que ces romans rendent accessible et la lecture demeure agréable. J'ai donc hâte de me plonger dans le tome suivant."

http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...

[Yami Krismiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encanta la historia, siempre lo he dicho, fue por eso que fijé mi atención en este libro, el cual me vendieron a muy buen precio en una feria del libro usado. Es muy difícil encontrar por internet datos 100% fieles y los libros de historia no te "insertan" dentro de la historia, he ahí la ventaja de las novelas históricas.

Como este libro está basado en la vida de un personaje real es muy difícil que la autora pueda extender su imaginación, por lo que no fue una graaan trama visto de ese punto, Jean Plaidy fue muy fiel a los hechos, incluyendo fechas exactas y fragmentos de documentos, por lo que si leen el libro no se van a encontrar con un perfecto romance.




Reseña completa: http://rinconyamirinconyami.blogspot....

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in Plaidy’s four book series on Victoria. Now Queen, this book covers the first few years of her reign and her close relationship with Lord Melbourne. I really enjoyed Plaidy’s take on a young, but earnest young Queen who wants to be a good ruler, but is feeling her power after years of being under the total control of her mother and “that Man”. Written from her perspective, the reader can understand Victoria’s motives even as they shake their heads at the mistakes of a naïve, but goodhearted young woman. Off to book three and lots of cartoon hearts over Dearest Albert!

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pretty dull read about the early period of Victoria's reign, which could be much more interesting. I think this author's style is out-moded; although Plaidy was a highly successful author in her day, and I read many of her books in my teens, she does not compare well to Sharon Penman and other similar contemporary authors. Or perhaps this book was simply not one of her best - it's not one I have read before and doesn't match up to say Murder Most Royal.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure if it's the author's writing style that I find annoying or if it's the character of Queen Victoria. I will probably try one of her books in a different series to find out. Queen Victoria matured a bit in this book. I have to read the next one, which will include her marriage to Prince Albert of Germany.

[Freya · Rating 4 out of 5]

My biggest complaint is that she skips years without telling you and alludes to things without clarifying. I have to go to Wikipedia quite often. Also, she doesn't translate the foreign statements. I enjoy the challenge of translating, but I would think most people would not.

[Jenna Coyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As second book in series this shows really how victoria relied on her prime ministor when she was queen as she had really seperated from her mother as resented her from how she was treated when younger. Victorian era yes not the most exciting like tudor times but still interesting.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This depicts how young and unprepared Queen Victoria was when she ascended to the throne at the age of 18. Being sheltered her whole life in addition to her frank emotions and unwavering loyalty allowed her to be inadvertently put into scandal within a year of her coronation.

[Edward Creter]

This sequel to The Captive of Kensington Palace outdoes the first with peppier dialogue and well-drawn characters. Fans of early English lit will love it!

[Roula Yasin · Rating 2 out of 5]

queen victoria in the 1sr two yrs of her reign and her specila relation with her prime minister lord Melbourne, before she marries albert.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading for the first time about Queen Victoria but I had difficulty with the writing style.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't particularly impressed by this. I was still waiting for it to get going when it ended. I found the writing quite weak, with the same few motifs being reiterated over and over again.

[Penélope Chaves Bruera · Rating 4 out of 5]

She was so young and innocent... Sometimes I wanted to just embrace her and her insecurities; others instead I just wanted to scream silly girl what do you think you're doing??
Nice book.